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The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation In The News

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The new General Manager of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation assumed duties Wednesday morning at its Pine headquarters. Lars Soderstrom was met on arrival by CBC Chairman Leroy Parris and Executive Director David Wright and then was introduced to the senior managers in the Corporation's boardroom – Source:Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation 30/07/2008

The Swede Lars G.O. Söderström is reporting on his Website that he has been the General Manager of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) for the last three months. We try to keep on top of the news which affect Barbados but we have to confess we missed this announcement. As always the BU household thanks the BU family member for drawing this matter to our attention. We have to admit though that the Swede’s resume is impressive, on paper!

It is a crying shame that at a time when Barbados is struggling to maintain its  cultural identity we could not find a son or daughter from the region to perform this job. The importance of our ONLY television station to facilitate cultural expression we believe to be critical to the development of our people. In the interest of transparency it would be interesting to find out  the selection criteria used to appoint the Swede to the post of General Manager. Is it true that Mr. Söderström was hired by the CBC as a consultant in 2004 and has participated in a restructuring exercise along with Trinidadian Malina Salandy up until a few months ago?

Barbadians need to have an explanation from Chairman Leroy Parris about this appointment. It appears that the Swede Lars G.O. Söderström joined CBC in his new capacity at the end of July 2008. It therefore begs the question – how is it that the Swede has published on his Website that he has been General Manager of the CBC for three months? As a matter of interest the BU family should recall that it was around July 2008 Deputy Chairman Jeannette Layne-Clarke resigned from the CBC Board citing illness and the need to recuperate.

The CBC has operated below expectation over the years and there are two reasons we think, the high level of political involvement and the cut-throat behaviour of the staff. We remember stories about Nigel Barrow the former Minister of Information playing dominoes away from CBC and looked-up to view a TV, when he saw a former popular news anchor, he telephoned CBC from the domino table. The anchor never appeared on national TV again after the call. Just as important is the need for the CBC staff to recognize the importance of teamwork and professionalism.

The former government had enunciated a public policy of working to beef-up the CBC to make it ready for privatization, is this the policy of the current government? We agree with the policy of the former government that the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and the CBC should have a model which separates the commercial and development aspects of their businesses. What we can deduce from what we are hearing about the the Swede’s appointment is that it appears to be a continuation of the former government’s policy. Do not forget he participated in a restructuring which started in 2004.

It is unusual for agents who participate in the restructuring of a company to eventually land the job of managing the company. We venture to suggest that it is not the recommended management approach. We have two questions for the BU family:

  1. Can you recommend Barbadians and other Caribbean media professionals in the diaspora who qualify for the job the Swede landed?
  2. What do you know about the Swede?

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163 responses to “The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation In The News”

  1. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    If this is true, has the vacancy been advertised ? If yes, Was there a notice of an application to the Chief Immigration Officer for permission to advertise overseas? Did we look to find a Barbadian who lives overseas? Did we look to find someone from the region? who appoints such employees? What does this person know about bajan culture? What special qualities does he bring to the corporation? These are but a few questions I would like to have answered.

  2. CENTIPEDE Avatar
    CENTIPEDE

    Of course the only real problem is that Mr. Söderström is white.

  3. Tony Hall Avatar
    Tony Hall

    He was in a consultancy position from 2004. If this present board saw it fit to hire him even though he was working under the aegis of the previous government then he must have impressed that he has the capacity to steer the corporation in the right direction. Give the man a chance and stop looking at the fact that he is a white man.

  4. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Wunna at BU aint easy at all. Is dis true though? He’s de GM up dey fuh true?
    Woe betide!
    When Pearson get hired my Bajan brothers and sisters went pon a wildcat strike. Now a Swede sneek in and not a word! Woe betide BU!
    At CBC?
    Wunna telling lies.

  5. Thinking Aloud Avatar
    Thinking Aloud

    What if he was hired as a stop gap measure to give the Deputy General Manager time to settle so that once he goes the deputy gets the post without the hassle of the union?

    What are Rodwell London’s Qualifications? both appointments seem fishy

  6. Avatar
    Anonymous

    @ Tony Hall

    “Give the man a chance and stop looking at the fact that he is a white man.”

    *******************************************

    I tell ya. We are de most apologetic people on earth.
    Ah wonder if a black bajan could apply for de job of GM of any national TV station in Sweden and get de pick.
    Shupes!
    *******************************************
    @ Thinking Aloud

    If any of dis is true at all! Maybe de man likes de Caribbean and de weather. Why else would a Harvard MBA work at a unionized government bureaucracy for US$60 000 a year? De average Harvard MBA in his 40s or 50s mekkin three times that amount.
    Woe betide dis morning! Woe betide!

  7. Ian Bourne Avatar
    Ian Bourne

    David, you left out Glyne Murray as Info Min threatening my job to my father when he wrote ANTENNA, and his firing Rosemary Alleyne as Archive Mgr!

    He called CBC “my tv set“, eventually? Murray was sent to Canada as Consul General, before more damage could be done, I do remember Lars shortly before I left – he was there with Marina for a Commonwealth consultancy… I saw him again at the John Mercurio lecture and wondered why he was there, now I understand!

    As for Bajan candidates, apart from Dean St Hill, there’s Kent Jordan or even Julius Gittens – but then Richard Cox would probably lobby against that last one, despite Julius helping him get that job!

    The reality is this – the fact there’s an overseas candidate in the position makes it easier for decisions to get acted on without too much local knowledge…

    I doubt Julius of all would accept the post prima facie, he’d insist that his decisions implemented be acted on w/o political interference and that is why CBC will always be in trouble, as that will NEVER happen so long as there is one TV station which belongs to Govt!

  8. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Bourne wha u aint easy at all. Lawd have his mercy!

    Anyways, if any o dis is true at all, by de looks o dah CV he might not last too long up dey. So Dean we own HC boy might get de pick after all.
    Woe betide!

  9. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Bourney, uncle Glyne threaten you job fuh trute doh?

  10. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Bourne, you fuhget to mention we own Sonia Gill, Phd who headed the Broadcast Commission in Jamaica and now heads one o de UN Offices up dey. Not sure she wanna come back to lil 2×3 Buhbados doh, but we got nuff qualified Bajans all over de place dat could do dah job.
    SHUPESSSSSSSSSSS!

  11. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    I asked some pertinent questions at the begining of this post. Is it not true that these vacancies should be advertised? How come other campanies have to follow a status quo while CBC could do as they like? Also rumours are that ICBL and Sagicor Ins. were changed for Clic. These things were done without any fanfare. Is it now a one-man- show?

  12. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    Not sure that the problem here is the white. I think it is a question of cultural sensitivity and norms and standards. Ours are just different. Some may want to say we ain’t got none but we do.

    We need people who can manage small things not large. We are a small country but somehow when we say national or Barbados we think we mean the whole world.

    This gentleman is not ideal because he is from a different culture and standard which suits where he comes from and not here. Commonsense will tell you that he will want to do what he knows and not necessarily what is in the best interests of Barbados.

    We do not need another CNN, Days of our Lives or Batman. We think that once you sound like them and try to portray that image is to be professional.

    We boast of 99% literacy (which is a joke), but even then, people need continued education; they need to connect with themselves and their communities; Learn of their identity; feel a part of the nation; etc. and not look up to what is not theirs and try to emulate it.

    How many of our youngsters know anything about their African Race and Culture? They can certainly tell you about America and its glitter and glamour, or even England, but what can they tell you about Africa or even Barbados?

    We have many who are qualified to be GM of CBC, even if we bring back Julian Rogers. We practice a culture of deprivation on ourselves, that is why Murray, Williams and all the like can do what they do and we accept it.

    The concept of a Government in power is quite different to one in office. There is a difference between a powerful person and one who has authority. Government Departments are there to regulate and not dictate. Simple terms but carry heavy meanings, implications and mental messages.

    Tells you something about the world view of those who use them, especially the media. It is not a good thing for the psyche of the nation and using improper terms can only reinforce the lack of empowerment rather than encourage empowerment.

    Most poor people do not feel empowered. They do not feel deserving of anything good. The feel doomed to a life of struggle; hence the crime and violence because they feel thay have nothing to lose.

    If we are struggling against poverty, we need to deal with this mindset. Our media ain’t saying a “pang” when it comes to educating our people. Too superficial and sensational. Life is about balance.

  13. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    @the scout:

    Very, very pertinent questions. Remember that these are not professional appointments, they are political appointments??????? Is there such a thing though???? Parliament pass laws, Government set policy, public workers execute?

  14. J Avatar
    J

    The objection is not to the fact that he is a white.

    If he was a black Swede of say African or African-American ancestry (and there are such Swedes) we would still object.

    It is a culturally sensitive position.

    It should go to a Barbadian person preferably or to a Caribbean person.

    I would have no objection if the work was advertised, interviews conducted and the best candidate was a white Bajan.

  15. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Mr. Soderstrom was declared bankrupt in Trinidad (Claim No. CV 2006-03130) after failing for years to pay child support. He fled to Barbados to avoid service of process by the Official Reciever in Trinidad. Contrary to the press statement released by the CBC, he never served as a VP of the BBC in London.

  16. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Wuhloss wuhloss wuhloss.

    Woe betide! Another one…

  17. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Millie gone Brazil oh lawd poor millie!

  18. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Where is de CBC Press Statement Anon?

  19. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Anon, sorry fuh being gypsy, but you is de chile mother?

  20. J Avatar
    J

    The Scout wrote at 9:44 on September 3rd “Also rumours are that ICBL and Sagicor Ins. were changed for Clic.”

    I hope that this is not true. I hope that Chairmen of Boards are not engaging in insider trading, that is that they are not shovelling my tax dollars into their own private coffers.

    I also do not like the statement attributed to the Prime Minister about fatted calves being shared among those who helped the DLP to victory.

    My question is what about the rest of us voting/tax paying/citizens who are neither B nor D.

    If we are not B and we are not D then does that mean that we are permanently excluded from the tax-funded banquet?

    Why?

  21. Avatar
    Anonymous

    J dont change dis subject man. We wanna malicious in de white man bizness and find out why he aint pay de chile money and wash up pon Barbados shores.

    We want de flying fish to come back too!

  22. J Avatar
    J

    You mean we hire a man who failed to pay his cock tax?

    We have thousands of them ’bout Barbados.

    We didn’t have to go all the way to Sweden to find a dead-beat dad???

    I have a real problem with dead-beat dads. I feel that they should be hung by the ba*ls until they are d*ad.

  23. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Link to press statement:
    http://www.cbc.bb/index.pl/print?id=1890051

  24. J Avatar
    J

    ok

  25. Avatar
    Anonymous

    BU you better run a degree check pon de white man and see if he’s a Harvard MBA fuh trute.
    http://www.degreechk.com/

    Or call up Harvard’s Registrar to do the check. They would verify it once you call.

  26. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Dis is shameful doh. Tell de trute. Somebody pon de CBC Board did drunk.

    And bajans up dey accept dis? And dese is de same bajans dat walk out pon strike cause dem feel Pearson was getting too much money?

    Dis is so sickening. I feel to puke.

    Who is the Chairman at CBC?
    Dis is de same government dat talking bout bajans first? De same government dat bring in people for crop over now doing dis shite?

    I really feel to puke!

  27. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I starting to get vex. BU we want his Swedish r_sshole outta CBC. Dis is bear c_unt!

  28. J Avatar
    J

    Did Leroy Parris and the CBC Board ask Cameron Bailey? Mr. Bailey was born of 2 Barbadian parents in London, England, educated in Barbados at St. Boniface Junior (now Gordon Greenidge Primary) and in Ontario up to the master’s degree level. Currently Co-director of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Before that worked as a programmer for TIFF for 12 years where founded and managed the Planet Africa segment of the Festival. Planet Africa brings films by African and African diaspora films to audiences who attend one of North American’s biggest and best fim festivals.

    Mr. Bailey is member of the board of the Royal Ontario Museum

    A brilliant man. And he he is only 44, not yet old and tired.

    Did anybody ask Mr. Bailey?

    Here is a link to his statement on TIFF’s website:

    http://tiff08.ca/aboutthefestival/codirectorsmessage/default.aspx

  29. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Man J there is a whole longggggggggggg ass list of highly qualified bajans dat could do de job. And effin duh cant find a bajan, there’s a long list of Caribbean nationals within CSME.
    Lord have mercy now!
    Wha de ass wrong wid we at all doh? This is soooooooooo sickening. I really feel to puke.

  30. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    Anonymoue
    Puke, clear your stomach, the fatted calf getting cut up, Wash out your belly and hope that a hefty piece of the calf drop off the truck by your door. I got my pot on since Sunday and looking for the truck too.

  31. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Only bout hey!

    Dont be surprise if the Harvard MBA dont hold up. Cuz I find it strange dat a Harvard MBA would wash up in Bim to work for US$60 000.

    Dis two and two aint adding up at all.

  32. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    That’s probably what he getting on the books. In that type of circle depending on which foot you’re standing on would determine how much you get.

  33. Avatar
    Anonymous

    The Harvard MBA is legitimate. Mr. Soderstrom was VP of Marketing for TSTT in Trinidad for only few months before abruptly resigning under unexplained circumstances. See: http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/2006-11-22/business2.html

  34. notesfromthemargin Avatar
    notesfromthemargin

    David,

    perhaps some clarity might be provided here by noting that the calculation of 3 months is NOT actually done by Mr. Soderstrom, but by the “Linked In” website itself. So someone putting in July 2008 to present is calculated as July – September hence the three months.

    Linked In is a social networking site (similar to Facebook) that anyone can join and try this for themselves.

    It seems to me that all forms of wild allegations are being done here by people who are posting anonymously and engaging in a most vicious form of character assassination. In my view this is an abuse of BU.

    Marginal

  35. J Avatar
    J

    Dear Anon:

    It is not good enough to tell us that the Harvard MBA is genuine.

    Show us the proof.

  36. J Avatar
    J

    And a Harvard MBA can’t pay his chile money???

    This is very, very, very strange.

    Harvard MBA’s make mints of money.

    $60,000 USD is no more that some good 5th form men and women in Barbados are making by age 40 or 50.

  37. Avatar
    Anonymous

    A Harvard MBA opens doors, but is no guarantee of ability or character.

  38. J Avatar
    J

    Was this job advertised?

    Where?

    For how long?

    If it was not advertised then why not?

    I just hope that the Chairman and his Trinidadian business partmer are not “helping out” one of the “boys” who found himself in finacial and matrimonial difficulties in Trinidad.

    Because we remember how “Owing” helped out some of his buddies by helping them to our tax dollars.

  39. J Avatar
    J

    Was this job advertised?

    Where?

    For how long?

    If it was not advertised then why not?

    I just hope that the Chairman and his Trinidadian business partmer are not “helping out” one of the “boys” who found himself in financial/matrimonial/professional difficulties in Trinidad.

    Because we remember how “Owing” helped out some of his buddies by helping them to our tax dollars.

  40. Avatar
    Anonymous

    David and the BU family needs to investigate Mr. Lars Söderström’s because when I Google his name “Lars Söderström” (Lars G.O. Söderström) the only info that comes back are to the link BU have already link to with his professional profile and this same BU article we are all getting so interested in.

    So again to BU, Bush Tea, and the Yardbroom’s etc. to investigate this appointment.

  41. J Avatar
    J

    This man is a Swede?

    Sweden is one of the 27 member countries of the EU?

    He can work in any one of those member countries.

    Or in Trinidad?

    or presumably the U.S.

    but he chooses Barbados? and lands in a job which was not advertised?

  42. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Correction BU.

    So again to BU, Bush Tea, and the Yardbroom’s etc. can you all please investigate this appointment. As it’s looking like this is going to be another braking story brought to light by the blogs first once again.

  43. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Dis is a funny one though. Here we are with a communications company and neither de GM nor de chairman o de board does speak English as duh first language.

    Wuh loss!

  44. J Avatar
    J

    Anonymous:

    You to wicked tho’.

    I had forgotten how Mr. Parris mangles the language.

    I’d love to be a fly on the wall when a meeting between these two non-English speakers is in progress.

  45. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Can you imagine how Jeannette Layne-Clarke used to cringe in dem meetings. Oh Jesus. No wonder de poor woman resign.

  46. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Mr Parris dont man de language. He does butcher um man. Lawd! Bring de teleprompter fuh he quick bohsie!

  47. Partial Avatar
    Partial

    Ms. Layne-Clarke’s ability to speak good English does not give her the right to publicly chastise Pearson in the local media for talking about “laying” on the beach. A lot of people make a mistake at sometime. She should start putting down the politicians and other so called big up officials who make major errors in public all the time. The lady could have referred to his error without calling his name. Pearson is a smart fellow. He would not make that mistake again. Same way she attacked Marsha (?) about her presentation some time back.

    Ms. Layne-Clarke seems to be quite a spiteful, vindictive woman.

    Yes, I am aware of the fact that when you are in the public eye you are open to criticism. That should also apply to some of the extremely large ladies at CBC who are not at all appealing to the eye.

    Perhaps Ms. Layne-Clarke should go on t.v. sometime and show us all how it is really done.

  48. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Partial

    I have to disagree wid u. Layne-Clarke does an excellent job as a critic and she keeps them on their toes. It’s about standards. The fact that she called out Pearson means he wouldnt repeat that error. Trust me, the ones who are serious about their careers take Layne-Clarke very seriously.
    She doesnt have to go on TV since her and Vic Brewsters trains most of them in their own private consulting.
    Now, dont change de subject man, we maliciousing in de white man bizness dat wont pay he chile money.
    Wunna always goin off track. Shupes! We wanna know if BU call Harvard to verify he degree and wha de ass he doing up pon WE TV ahead of a bajan.
    Get back on track.

  49. David Avatar
    David

    We have several members of the BU family who lives in the USA.

    We remind the BU family the point of our blog on CBC. Some bigger issues here which we had hoped would have interest the BU family. J and The Scout have touched on some of them.

  50. Partial Avatar
    Partial

    Sorry, BU. Didn’t mean to get off track. That was just a comment.

    I too would like to get some more info on this Swede. I have a brother in the US who is a car salesman who gets (or used to) that same amount of money and he barely finished secondary school in Bdos. Very strange that he come out of T&T where the PM and Parris have so many business connections.

    There seems to be a lot more to this than meets the eye.

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